U17s Roll Into Semis

Lost behind the World Junior Tournament, the US U17 team is putting together quite an impressive run at the World U17 Hockey Challenge.

The Americans upset Canada Pacific last night by a score of 2-1 to finish a perfect 4-0-0-0 in their group and move on to the semifinals to face Sweden.

This has been a real coming out party for the US. I was expecting some rough results for the Americans after they didn't add many big name players to their roster for this tournament, but it's starting to look like playing in the USHL has really helped them raise the level of their game, even if meant taking some rough results early on. This now makes 7 straight wins for this team on the international stage.

It has also been a breakout performance for American Rocco Grimaldi, who is tied for second in tournament scoring with 3 goals and 5 assists. He's starting to prove that he belongs in the Kessel/Schroeder category of talent and I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a shot with the Americans in Buffalo next year.